Do Michigan Employers Have To Pay You For Taking A Meal Break?

If any of my co-workers read this PLEASE DON'T GET MAD AT ME.

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But the other day when I saw a group of them smoking outside our building...

It got me thinking about how it's unfair that they get paid to smoke while I'm working on the clock.

Let's say the average smoke break is 10 minutes (you stop working, take a smoke break, and get back to work). You've gotten paid for 30 minutes while doing nothing.

But then again to be fair, I also do non-work things while on company time.

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Do Michigan Employers Have To Pay You For Taking A Meal Break?

In Michigan, there is no state law that requires employers to provide their employees with a lunch break or meal period.

If an employer does choose to provide a lunch break, the break must last for at least 30 minutes, and it must be paid if the employee is required to perform work during the break.

It's also worth noting that under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), there is no requirement for employers to provide lunch or meal breaks.

However, if an employer does provide a lunch break, and the break lasts less than 20 minutes, it must be paid.

While employers in Michigan are not required by law to provide lunch breaks, if they do choose to provide such breaks, they must adhere to certain rules and requirements.